Here are three reasons why the 2019 NBA Trade Deadline was not a failure for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 2019 NBA Trade Deadline has come and gone for the Los Angeles Lakers, and while they didn’t land their second superstar in Anthony Davis, it wasn’t a failure for the Lakers.
Even though the dream for the Lakers prior to the NBA Trade Deadline was to get Davis from the Pelicans, it became clear prior to the deadline day that it wasn’t going to happen. The Pelicans seem content on waiting until the summer, as they will likely entertain offers from the Lakers, Boston Celtics, and perhaps the New York Knicks depending on their lottery spot.
The Lakers were able to do a rather good job prior to the deadline even though they didn’t get their top priority in Davis.
Prior to making a huge offer for Davis, the Lakers have been very patient and unwilling to sacrifice their young assets or cap space. At the deadline, the Lakers did make two trades, but only Ivica Zubac was the only major young asset moved.
With newly acquired Reggie Bullock and Mike Muscala, the Lakers will be trying to make the playoffs. Having LeBron now healthy for the second half of the season, the playoffs are still possible for the Lakers.
While it might not have been the big success that the Lakers were hoping for, the trade deadline wasn’t a failure for the Lakers. Here are three reasons why that is the case.